Mother-child bond inspired necklace based on African Cats

Samantha Critchell - Associated Press

Published 12:01 am, Thursday, May 5, 2011

Photo: HONS

Image 1of/1

Caption

Close

Image 1 of 1

This product image courtesy of Alex Woo Inc. shows pendants by Alex Woo. The mother big cat keeps her young close to her heart. Jewelry designer Alex Woo saw that up close and personal when she spent time in Africa. Now, as a mother to a toddler, Woo says she feels a kinship to the cats and she tapped into that bond to create a fundraising pendant tied to the new Disney movie "African Cats." (AP Photo/Alex Woo Inc.) less

This product image courtesy of Alex Woo Inc. shows pendants by Alex Woo. The mother big cat keeps her young close to her heart. Jewelry designer Alex Woo saw that up close and personal when she spent time in ... more

Photo: HONS

Mother-child bond inspired necklace based on African Cats

1 / 1

Back to Gallery

NEW YORK - The mother big cat keeps her young close to her heart. Jewelry designer Alex Woo saw that up close and personal when she spent time in Africa.

Now, as a mother to a toddler, Woo says she feels a kinship to the cats, and she tapped into that bond to create a fundraising pendant tied to the new movie African Cats

"I didn't consider myself an animal lover, but you can't not be one after seeing them so close," Woo says. "They (African cats) have such a similar life to us - of course, not in the day-to-day life - but elements of their story line are so similar to us."

The way a mother tends to her offspring, putting them first at all costs, was Woo's inspiration for the necklace depicting an alert mother cat, both looking out for potential danger and focusing on a baby.

The design features a silhouette of the mother and cub against the backdrop of an Acacia tree.

Sales of the necklace, available in silver or 14-karat gold, raises money for the African Wildlife Federation. Woo, partnering with Disneynature, is donating 20 percent of the proceeds. Depending on the size and materials, the cost ranges between $138 and $2,298.

African Cats is Disneynature's third movie following Earth and Oceans All the movies have been tied to Earth Day.

Most Popular

Woo, who has a 2-year-old son, says she has worn the pendant for many days in a row, for a variety of occasions and with different styles of clothing.

"No matter how many times you are told, 'When you are a mom, you'll understand,' you don't really understand until you have a child. The message here is about family, motherhood and its protective bond."